“What? Why? What is it?”
“Not out here.” He’s already scanning the street, eyes sharp, body tense.
Something’s wrong. Very wrong.
I don’t ask again. I move. We hurry back into the building. Hank slams the door behind us, locks it, and leads me into the room we used for the hearing. Once the door clicks shut, he’s already on the phone, rapid-fire speaking to someone higher up.
I stare at the paper still clutched in his hand.
“Can I see it?” I ask.
He hesitates. Then slowly hands it over.
The paper shakes in my grip as I unfold it. The handwriting is rushed and uneven, ink smudged like the writer didn’t have time to be careful.
My Dear Little Lina -
You look more beautiful than ever. I knew you’d come home. I’ve been waiting for you, but you’ve beenfucking playing gameshiding from me. I don’t like waiting.You’re in big trouble. I’ve missed you terribly, but it won’t be long beforeI come for youwe’re reunited at last, my love.
-Your Joe
P.S. Go Dawgs!
I go still.
The last line sends ice through my veins.
Go Dawgs.
That’s not just some random cheer. That’s my school. The University of Georgia. Our mascot is the bulldog. The phrase is everywhere… on signs, shirts, chants.
“He knows,” I whisper. “He knows where I go to school.”
Hank hangs up his call and reads the note again. His jawclenches.
“He’s completely unhinged,” I say softly.
“The crossed-out words. The tone. It all points to instability,” he agrees. “Help is on the way. I don’t know how the hell he got this on our car, but we’re going to find out.”
I look down at my sweatshirt. It reads ‘UGA’ in bright red letters.
“My sweatshirt,” I murmur. “He saw me in this. That’s how he knew.”
Hank’s face twists with guilt. “Shit. We should’ve caught that.”
I hug my arms around myself, suddenly cold. Not physically, just… hollow. Exposed. Violated. He was here. He was watching me.
“Why won’t he just let me go?” I ask quietly.
I don’t know if I’m asking Hank or the universe.
“I’m never going to be free,” I say, more to myself than anyone. “Not really. I’m always going to be hiding. Always watching my back.”
Hank doesn’t answer. There’s nothing he can say.
Because deep down, we both know I might be right.
∞∞∞
